How to Watch TruTV in 2025: Best Streaming Services for March Madness & More

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TruTV is one of the most important channels for watching March Madness. The First Four games on March 18 and 19 will air exclusively on TruTV, as well as multiple first and second-round matchups throughout the tournament.

Whether you’re tuning in for the First Four or later rounds, you don’t need cable to keep up with the action. There are plenty of ways to stream TruTV live in 2025.

What’s Different This Year?

Streaming options for TruTV have remained largely consistent, but there are some important changes to keep in mind. Max’s Basic With Ads plan will no longer include live sports after March 30, 2025, meaning subscribers will need to upgrade to Standard ($16.99/month) or Premium ($20.99/month) to keep watching TruTV.

DIRECTV STREAM’s MySports package is also expanding, with more markets expected to gain access to regional sports networks and 4K programming. Meanwhile, Fubo still does not offer Turner Networks, leaving TruTV off its lineup entirely.

For March Madness fans, this means Max is still the cheapest way to get TruTV, but DIRECTV STREAM and YouTube TV offer a more complete sports experience with additional networks. Sling TV remains the most budget-friendly live TV option, though it lacks local channels.

Max: The Cheapest Option for TruTV

Max, formerly HBO Max, remains the most affordable way to stream TruTV. It’s included in the B/R Sports add-on, which is available at no extra cost with Max’s Standard and Premium plans. That means for $16.99 per month, you can stream TruTV, TNT and TBS for live NBA, NHL, MLB, and March Madness games.

However, starting March 30, 2025, Max’s Basic With Ads plan will no longer include live sports. If you’re currently on this plan and want to continue watching TruTV for March Madness or other sports, you’ll need to upgrade to the Standard ($16.99/month) or Premium ($20.99/month) plan.

Max streams in up to 1080p resolution with Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos for supported devices, making it one of the better streaming platforms for picture quality. Start streaming on Max.

Sling TV: Budget-Friendly Option

Sling TV is the most budget-friendly live TV option. At $45.99 per month, Sling Blue includes TruTV along with FS1, TNT, and TBS. If you want ESPN, you’ll need Sling Orange. You can bundle Orange and Blue plans for $60.99 per month. Sling lacks local ABC, CBS, NBC, and FOX in most areas, so if you need those channels, an antenna is the way to go.

Sling TV streams in 720p resolution for most channels, which is comparable to an ATSC 1.0 broadcast signal. It includes 50 hours of free Cloud DVR, but additional storage is available for an extra fee. Get Sling TV.

DIRECTV STREAM MySports: New Skinny Bundle

For sports fans who want a traditional channel lineup, DIRECTV STREAM’s MySports package is worth a look. At $69.99 per month, it includes TruTV, ESPN, FS1, TNT, and TBS. It also comes with ESPN+, which is usually a separate subscription.

Local channels like ABC, NBC, and FOX are included in some markets, but not everywhere. Checking DIRECTV STREAM’s channel lookup tool is recommended before signing up.

DIRECTV STREAM broadcasts in 1080p, and its MySports package also includes access to DIRECTV’s two 4K Live channels (105 and 106) for select sports and events. The MySports package is available in about 122 TV markets, with more locations expected to be added soon. New customers can try MySports free for five days and get a discounted rate for the first three months before the full $69.99 per month price kicks in. See DIRECTV STREAM offers

Hulu + Live TV: A Streaming Bundle with ESPN+

Hulu + Live TV brings together live broadcast and cable networks with Disney’s other top streaming services under one subscription. Subscribers get more than 90 live TV channels, plus ad-supported Disney+ and ESPN+ at no extra cost.

Hulu Live costs $82.99 per month and includes ABC, NBC, CBS, and FOX in most markets, alongside cable networks like ESPN, ESPN2, FS1, and Hallmark Channel.

Hulu Live TV streams TruTV and other channels in 720p HD, similar to what you’d get with a TV antenna. However, Hulu’s on-demand library streams in up to 1080p, and some movies and shows are available in 4K Ultra HD. Sign up for Hulu Live

YouTube TV: Full Channel Lineup and Unlimited DVR

YouTube TV includes local ABC, CBS, NBC, PBS, and FOX affiliates, making it one of the most comprehensive cable TV replacements. TruTV broadcasts, which typically air in 720p HD over the air, are streamed on YouTube TV in 1080p resolution.

Subscribers get more than 128 live channels, including ESPN, ESPN2, FS1, TNT, and TBS. Every subscription comes with unlimited Cloud DVR, allowing you to record TruTV games, primetime shows, and local news.

YouTube TV costs $82.99 per month and allows streaming on three screens at once. It works with Smart TVs, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Roku, Chromecast, and other devices. A 7-day free trial is available for new subscribers. Try YouTube TV

Does Fubo Carry TruTV?

No. Fubo does not carry TruTV, TNT, or TBS. WarnerMedia networks were removed from FuboTV on July 1, 2020, meaning there’s no way to watch March Madness on Fubo.

While Fubo remains a great sports streaming service, its lack of Turner Networks (including TruTV, which airs the First Four and early NCAA tournament rounds) makes it unsuitable for March Madness fans.

Where to Subscribe for TruTV in 2025

ServiceMonthly PriceFree Trial & Sign-Up
Max (Standard/Premium)$16.99 – $20.99No trial | Start streaming on Max
Sling TV (Blue or Orange+Blue)$45.99 – $60.993-day free trial | Get Sling TV
DIRECTV STREAM (MySports)$69.995-day free trial | See DIRECTV STREAM offers
Hulu + Live TV$82.993-day free trial | Sign up for Hulu Live
YouTube TV$82.997-day free trial | Try YouTube TV

Final Thoughts

For the best deal, Max is the way to go — at least until March 30, when sports on Max will require an upgrade. If you want a fuller channel lineup, Sling TV keeps costs low, while Hulu + Live TV and YouTube TV give you everything in one place. 

And for sports fans, DIRECTV STREAM’s MySports package offers a cable-like experience with regional sports networks and select 4K programming.

Jim Kimble is a seasoned industry expert with over two decades of journalism experience. He has been at the forefront of the cord-cutting movement since 2016, testing and writing about TV-related products and services. He founded The Cord Cutting Report in 2016, and serves as the editor.

Major publications, including MarketWatch, Forbes, and South Florida Sun Sentinel, have interviewed Kimble for his years of expertise. He gives advice on the complexities consumers are navigating with streaming options, and over-the-air TV. Kimble has been a staff writer or correspondent for several award-winning, daily newspapers, including The Boston Globe.

2 thoughts on “How to Watch TruTV in 2025: Best Streaming Services for March Madness & More”

  1. Why haven’t you reviewed Philo TV? 60 channels for $25.00! Seems better to me than sling, hulu, and others.

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